New Zealand prime minister becomes second world leader in modern era to give birth

Phil Walter/Getty Images(AUCKLAND, New Zealand) — The prime minister of New Zealand has given birth to a girl.

Jacinda Ardern, 37, wrote in a personal Instagram post that her daughter arrived at 4:45 p.m. local time on Thursday, weighing in at 7.3 pounds.

It’s the first child for Ardern and her partner, Clarke Gayford.

“Thank you so much for your best wishes and your kindness,” Ardern wrote in her post. “We’re all doing really well, thanks to the wonderful team at Auckland City Hospital.”

Ardern became the second elected world leader in modern times to give birth in office, joining the late Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, who gave birth to a daughter in 1990, according to official reports.

Ardern is planning to take a six-week leave before returning to work. Winston Peters, New Zealand’s deputy prime minister, has taken over in the meantime.